‘Curtains’ opens Playhouse season June 1; open house slated Sunday

Thursday, May 25, 2017
Eye-opening reviews evoke reactions from the movers and shakers behind “Robbin’ Hood,” the play-within-a-play in the Putnam County Playhouse production of “Curtains.” The season-opening musical runs June 1-3 and 7-10 at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre on Round Barn Road in Greencastle. Pondering the trade publication reviews are (from left) the divorced songwriting team portrayed by Lee Reberger and Shelly McFadden, financial backer Oscar Shapiro (Playhouse newcomer Addison Hughes), producer Carmen Bernstein (played by Ashlee Vitz) and British director Christopher Belling (Andrew Ranck).
Banner Graphic/ERIC BERNSEE

Putnam County Playhouse will open the 2017 season with the musical comedy, “Curtains.” The show will run June 1-3 and June 7-10.

Tickets are available beginning Sunday, May 28 at the Playhouse box office during its 2-3 p.m. open house. The cast of “Curtains” will present musical numbers from the show during the annual open house. Refreshments will be served.

Tickets for all four shows of the 2017 season will be available beginning Sunday, May 28. The box office will be open the weeks of each production or persons may call 653-5880 from 5-7 p.m.

“Curtains” is a musical mystery comedy set in 1959 at the Colonial Theatre in Boston, where a new musical called “Robbin’ Hood!,” a western version of “Robin Hood,” is being produced.

Playhouse veteran Karen Temple plays faded film star diva Jessica Cranshaw who takes on the role of Madame Marian in “Robbin’ Hood.” When Jessica is murdered during the show’s finale, the cast and crew of “Robbin’ Hood” are all suspects.

Lt. Frank Cioffi, Boston police detective and musical theater devotee, portrayed by Chris Wurster, arrives on the scene to solve the murder and finds himself enthralled with Jessica’s understudy, Niki Harris, played by Caroline Good.

Art imitates life as Josh Bain portrays Bobby Pepper, the show’s choreographer. “Robbin’ Hood” producer Carmen Bernstein is played by Ashlee Vitz. Meanwhile, Addison Hughes makes his Playhouse debut as Oscar Shapiro, the show’s financial backer.

Lee Reberger and Shelly McFadden return to the Playhouse stage as divorced songwriting team Aaron Fox and Georgia Hendricks.

The show’s flamboyant British director, Christopher Belling, is portrayed by Andrew Ranck. Sarah Bond plays Bambi, the show’s featured dancer.

The cast also features Scott Armitage as Carmen’s husband, Sydney Bernstein; Tim Good as theater critic Daryl Grady; Eleanor Howard as stage manager Johnnie Harmon; and Karen Sutherlin as Det. O’Farrell.

The ensemble, featured heavily in the production, includes Chris Douglas, Ben Purnell, Julie Collenbaugh, Chloe Hayes, Payton Kumpf, Andrew Corder, Fiona Good, Dan Purnell, Samantha Flannelly and Jacob Riggen.

Veteran Playhouse performer and director Ric McFadden is directing “Curtains” with Sandi Rossok as assistant director.

The production staff includes vocal direction by Erik Foster, choreography by Sarah Bond, Joshua Bain and Lori Briones.

Set design and construction is by Linda Gjesvold with technical direction by Dustin Bond.

Jack Randall Earles served as casting director with costume design by Shelly McFadden. Susan Price joins the Playhouse family as wardrobe assistant. Wig design is by Diana Van Middlesworth.

Marilyn Rush, pianist and pit conductor leads musicians Morgan Asher (keyboard), Drew Brattain (bass), Marcia Boswell (flute).

The production crew includes stage manager TJ Tincher; stagehands Connor George and Mariah Taylor; sound design and operator Dustin Bond; light board operator Nicole Moore and spotlight operators Cameron Wunderlich and Mason Allen.

Persons may call the Playhouse box office beginning Monday, May 29 to reserve tickets. Box office hours are 5-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday during show weeks. The box office phone number is 653-5880.

“Curtains” is sponsored by Shuee’s.

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